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What is Art Basel?

Where can visual artists go to meet like minded people in one setting? Art Basel Miami Beach offers multi-day lectures, meeting spaces and over 200 international, contemporary art galleries.

Art Basel started in Basel, Switzerland as a way for many European contemporary art galleries to converge in one place. Over 44 years ago, dealers from all over the globe met in Basel and catered to clients looking to purchase anything from an a Chagall print to an authentic Picasso. In 1972, the New York Times called the convention a “mammoth indoor ‘flea market’ of 20th-century art.”

In 2002, the show extended itself to Art Basel Miami Beach. This arm of the show also exhibited the finest in contemporary art, but added current local artists, who showed their work in shipping containers on the beach. This fresh perspective made the show the hottest place to be and since then has attracted thousands of people yearly, including Hollywood elite. You may
spot Madonna on your way to the Warhol!

In 2011, Art Basel created an art fair in Hong Kong, making it a global brand. Today, Art Basel Miami Beach shows current and contemporary art, as well as local artists. Painting, drawing, sculpture, performance, animation — you name it: if it’s a visual expression, Art Basel has it.

From the Art Basel Miami Beach site: “In our American show, leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa show significant work from the masters of Modern and contemporary art, as well the new generation of emerging stars. Paintings, sculptures, installations, photographs, films, and edition works of the highest quality are on display in the main exhibition hall. Ambitious large-scale artworks, films and performances become part of the city's outdoor landscape at nearby Collins Park and SoundScape Park.”

Interested in going? Student tickets this year were $36 for the day. Admission includes a pass to the Miami Beach Convention Center which houses over 200 galleries. For more information:

https://www.artbasel.com/miami-beach